Written by Ben Whitworth Published: 17 September 2024 Updated: 17 September 2024

Overview

So, here we are. Here’s the third in what will eventually become a full range of electric cars from Kia. The new EV3 slots in below the on-trend EV6 and EV9 to confidently signal the Korean brand’s bold new design and technology-led approach.

The EV3 – smaller, more affordable, but still packed with tech and style – absolutely needs to sell well to continue its maker’s remarkable transformation. That’s a tough gig when the electric market is cooling by the day and price parity with petrol cars is to happen across the board.

Its priced incredibly competitively, taking the fight straight to Volkswagen, Volvo, Cupra and Jeep, as it undercuts them all, with prices starting at £32,995. Interestingly, the EV3 doesn’t replace the electric Niro in the UK. Kia believes there’s sufficient space between the EV3 and the Niro so they will appeal to different buyers

Can this combination of a punchy starting price, family-friendly functionality wrapped in dramatically futuristic styling, and gold-star battery and charging tech be enough to see off the impressive Volvo EX30, Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born? We headed out to Seoul for an early first drive to answer that question, and you can see our explainer page to discover more about how we test cars.

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What’s it like inside?

Given how dramatic it looks on the outside, it would be a disappointment if the interior weren’t equally as striking. The good news is that the cabin design mixes these radical design elements with plenty of family-friendliness. It successfully manages to be both attractive and versatile in equal measure.

First take is the spaciousness. The combination of front wheel drive, long 2,680mm wheelbase, flat rear floor and slimline dashboard delivers almost decadent levels of room in all key areas. The use of dark coarse-weave fabrics, matt metal finishes and flat plastics work with the muted colour palette to create a relaxed welcome.

You also get big buttons for key climate controls, which we heartily approve of. The two-level boot can swallow 460 litres – about 100 litres more than most of the EV3’s closest rivals – and flipping forward the 60:40 split rear seats boosts that to 1,250 litres. There’s also a neat 25-litre luggage area in the front to house your charging cables

Visibility is a mixed bag. Ahead and to the sides you have an excellent view of the road and its users, but that letterbox rear screen sandwiched between roof spoiler and upright rear hatchback means compromised rear visibility when on the go. Good job the high-res reversing camera is standard in the UK.

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Kia EV3 motors and performance

The EV3 is appealingly brisk, with that addictive elastic-snap of electrified acceleration at urban speeds, and plenty of overtaking pep when you up the pace. Both batteries packs power a single motor that drives the front wheels and is good for 204hp, so performance in both is similar. Models with the Standard Range battery will zip to 62mph in 7.4 seconds and, while the heavier Long Range models are barely any slower at 7.7 seconds. Both versions are limited to 106mph.

But you know what? That’s okay because this is a family car, not a hot-hatch, and it’s combination of performance and dynamics is perfectly judged for its target audience. So if tyre-smoking fun is your bag, then you’ll have to wait for the rumoured twin-motor all-wheel drive version that’s in the pipeline.

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What’s it like to drive?

For two days we drove our EV3 Long Range – in the domestic equivalent trim to the GT-Line S we’ll get in the UK – through the best and worst of Seoul’s traffic. It was an ice-cold, calm and relaxed haven from the capital’s 35C heat, humidity and general bedlam. The Kia doesn’t rewrite the ride and handling rulebook, but then it doesn’t put a foot wrong either.

It rides well, comfortably cushioning occupants from intrusions even when tackling some of Gangnam’s craggier blacktop. It’s likely the spring and damper rates will be recalibrated for European-bound models, so we very much hope that plump and softly sprung composure isn’t lost in translation.

The steering, as you’d expect, is light, direct and quick enough to make short work of gap-chasing and tight carparks. The brakes are also onside, too. There’s immediate bite from the left pedal, and that confidence-inspiring response grows when you lean harder on them, slowing up the 1,885kg hatchback with ease.

For the most part it rewards with flat cornering attitude and tight body control. But its high levels of refinement and sophistication mean you’re more likely to want to drive in a more relaxed way. This is a car that tolerates, rather than enjoys, any kind of exuberant driving antics – selecting Sport simply reduces steering assistance and sharpens the throttle response.

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Kia EV3 range and charging

The 58.3kWh Standard Range battery has a 267-mile WLTP range, while the significantly bigger 81.4kWh Long Range battery pack should be good for 372 WLTP miles between recharges on Air models with its 17-inch alloys, and 347 WLTP miles on GT-Line and GT-Line S models which wear bigger 19-inch wheels. Our experience is that Kia is better at getting near to these test numbers than other manufacturers.

Both versions feature 400V charging, down from the 800V on the EV6 and EV9 to cap costs, and the resulting 102kW and 128kW maximum charge rates for the Standard Range and Long Range batteries are pretty modest compared to the 235kW rate for the EV6. That translates into around 31 minutes for a 10-80% charge. As in its bigger EV6 and EV9 kin, vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid functionality is standard.

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What models and trims are available?

Deliveries are due to start at the end of 2024, and buyers will have the choice of three trim levels – Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S – and two battery packs. Prices start at £32,995 or £35,995 with the Long Range battery. The £39,495 GT-Line comes with the Long Range battery as standard, as does the flagship GT-Line S – yours for £42,995.

It’s certainly well equipped. The Air may kickstart the range, but it’s loaded with safety, infotainment and techy kit. Highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch alloys, LED headlamps heated front seats and steering wheel, parking sensors and reversing camera, regen braking paddle shifter and one-pedal iPedal functionality, OTA updates, and more acronym-laden safety features than you need – or possibly want.

Moving up to the GT-Line gets you niceties such as bigger 19-inch alloy wheels, GT styling pack and glossy black exterior trim and wireless phone charging. The kitchen-sink GT-Line S gets a punchy eight-speaker Harmon Kardon Premium sound system, head-up display, memory seats, 360-degree surround view for parking, runroof, heated rear seats and the ability to park remotely. Handy for tight carparks. What about heat pumps, you say? That’s a £900 option that’s only available on the GT-Line S model.

What else should I know?

Sustainability is a key message. The cabin is leather free, there’s no chrome as with the exterior, and each EV3 uses 28.5kg of recycled plastics, the origins of which can be found by using the little QR code found on the dashboard.

Company car drivers will benefit from the 2% BIK rate for EVs in 2024/25 and 3% for the 2025/26 tax years.

Read on for the definitive Parkers verdict to find out whether we think the Kia EV6 is worth going for…